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fengshuiatl · 7 years

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Go’s Story - Finale

The conclusion of Go’s Story. If you read all of it, thanks a bunch. I don’t know if I’ll do anything similar for the next game I run, but I had fun with this. Let me know if you dig it, and one I can figure out how to enable https encryption on my music server, I’ll share the soundtrack.

EXT. HIDEKI'S FARM - DAY

Go and April emerge from the forest nearby Hideki's property,

a small shack with a tiny parcel of fenced in land. A few

cows amble lazily about their pen as their handler, FUSAO

HIDEKI stomps out of the shack, a bundle of grain under one

arm and a huge bottle of beer over the other shoulder.

More stoutly built than Go and scruffier, but the family

resemblance is certainly there and it takes Go aback as he

watches the elder Hideki empty grain into a trough. April,

dressed in a traditional kimono, approaches and bows.

APRIL

Excuse me, lord, a word?

Fusau looks over his shoulder as one of cows greedily guzzles

from the beer bottle.

FUSAO

I am no lord, lady. You may have

many words, so long as none of them

are flowery.

APRIL

But I was told you were the chief

of security for the Akashi Castle?

FUSAO

Perhaps your source of information

was not privy to the past few days.

GO

What happened?

FUSAO

A representative from the shogunate

arrived with an order for us to

return to Edo, immediately with no

explanation. I sensed chicanery,

so I asked what would occur should

we refuse.

GO

So then?

He gestures around at the meager grounds of his farm. The

cow, for its part looks dejected at the brief moment of being

denied booze.

FUSAO

My most loyal men were scattered to

the winds as ronin, and the others

went back to the shogunate as

ordered. One soldier that left did

me a kindness in allowing me to buy

this hovel and cattle from him, so

here I am.

Fusao wrests the beer bottle away from the cow and begins to

massage the beast with what can best be described as a

resigned vigor.

APRIL

Do you have any idea why this was

done?

The weary ronin sighs, glancing over his shoulder at the pair

before retrieving a telescoping lens from his jinbei and

peering out toward Akashi Castle, a dot out toward the

horizon.

FUSAO

I have kept watch over the castle

ever since I have been here. One

day ago, a small group escorted a

foreigner into the castle. Aside

for some guardians in the towers,

he is alone. Dressed like him....

Fusao finally notices that he's standing in front of his

descendant and stops, examining him. April startles and

frowns apologetically.

APRIL

My lord, if you could-

Go is snapped into action at the mention of the foreigner,

looking around.

GO

I need a horse.

He spots two Kiso horses at the far end of the pen and takes

one by its reins.

FUSAO

What's this?!

April rushes to join Go on top of the small horse.

APRIL

Sonno joi, Hideki-dono!

With that, Go and April are galloping off toward the castle,

a look somewhere between puzzlement and a renewed fire in his

eyes.

Through the forest, Go effortlessly guides the Kiso through

the trees and brush at breakneck speed.

APRIL

Didn't figure you for the type that

knows horses.

GO

I don't.

APRIL

Well hell.

Once they clear the tree line there's only a small patch of

grass and a moat separating them from the castle.

APRIL

Do you smell that?

GO

What?

A bullet whizzes by the both of them as the guys in the

towers snap to attention.

APRIL

Match cord. We're running out of

room...

GO

Hang on.

Go snaps at the reins and the horse goes even faster as

bullets from matchlock rifles impact all around them.

He rears back on the reins and in an instant they're vaulting

over the moat. At the top of the arc, April jumps off of

horseback toward the nearest tower.

EXT. AKASHI CASTLE - CONTINUOUS

April's hair billows in the breeze as she pulls out the

needles holding it in place. She gives one a new home in the

chest of one guardsman, and the other in the eye socket of

another, sending the shot intended for her skyward.

Go lands outside the castle walls and by the time he's made

around to the front gate, April's opening it for him from the

ramparts.

CUT TO:

In the center of the grounds, LENNY stands, every bit as

dashing as when we first saw him in the passenger seat of

Go's getaway car. This time, he's in a commodore's uniform,

and is wide-eyed at Go's arrival.

LENNY

Holy shit...

Go dismounts, briefcase in hand, never taking his eyes off

Lenny.

LENNY

Look who it is. Good to seeya man.

Lenny's backing away, smirking and chattering while Go keeps advancing.

LENNY

How's Laur-

The distance is finally closed with a haymaker across Lenny's

jaw.

GO

Shut up.

Lenny tumbles to the ground after a thrust kick, and Go stays

on top of him.

GO

She loved you like a brother, you

son of bitch.

A kick to the ribs.

GO

We all did!

A stomp to the back.

GO

We were like family!

But when Go kneels down to deliver a punch, the fist gets

caught.

LENNY

That was always the problem, Go ol'

buddy.

Lenny hisses, blood dripping from his lips as stands, holding

Go in an armbar.

LENNY

YOU were all about family.

A KICK to the ribs.

LENNY

I was all about the score.

He hurls Go over his shoulder, SLAMMING him to the ground.

LENNY

And this place was the big one.

CUT TO:

April's finished with the last of the guards and is trying to

get a clear shot at Lenny when she can hear hoofbeats in the

distance.

APRIL

Oh no.

A horde of shogunate samurai, wearing the same crests as the

guards are heading straight for the castle.

CUT TO:

Lenny's slinging Go around the castle grounds like a ragdoll.

He's no bigger than Go or even fighting with any more

technique, but he just seems ferociously stronger.

LENNY

See, while you guys were fine to

call the old man a kook, take his

money and do the job. I did a

little research. Got myself an in

with the other team.

He picks up Go by the throat, looking him in the eye.

LENNY

For the power they gave me, tying

me to this place? I'd sell all of

you out all over again if I could.

CUT TO:

As samurai approach, April tries to slow them down with the

rifles but it's futile. For every shot she gets off, she has

to dodge a hail of arrows and bullets. Just then:

FUSAO (O.S.)

Sonno joi!

Comes the battle-cry, echoed by six of his compatriats as

they charge into the shogunate samurai's flank on horseback

armed and outfitted in full regalia. The shogunate's forces,

though at least three times the number, crumble at the

advance.

April smiles and turns back toward Go and Lenny.

CUT TO:

Lenny turns his head at the commotion. Go, finding an

opening, kicks him square in the balls.

LENNY

Fuck!

Go tumbles to the ground, landing next to the briefcase as

Lenny staggers for a brief moment, recovering quickly.

LENNY

Dirty pool, pal...

With Go on his hands and knees, Lenny's sizing him up for

more punishment. His concentration's broken by a ball of

lead embedding itself in his shoulder.

LENNY

Agh! You're fuckin' kidding me!

Lenny turns find April staring down the sight of a rifle.

LENNY

Who're you? He sure works quick.

Well wait your turn, I'll get to

you in a se-

It's in that moment that Lenny realizes that April's staring

PAST him. Too late to matter, as Go fells him with the

briefcase upside his dome.

Go's on top of him in an instant, slamming the briefcase into

Lenny's skull, over and over until he's heaving for breath.

He tosses the briefcase aside and it snaps open when it hits

the ground. Go pulls the Automag from his jacket and when he

cocks it, Lenny's only response is a blubbering that sounds

something like "Wait, wait!"

Go levels the barrel at his head, his finger hovering over

the trigger.

LENNY

Please...don't...I...I can pay...

Go sneers and pushes the hammer closed on the gun, climbing

off of Lenny.

GO

She'd never forgive me.

He walks over the briefcase and starts the timer, dragging

Lenny next to it.

GO

Instead, I'll let you watch the

last few seconds of your big score

tick by.

The crumpled heap of a man that was Lenny strains to try and

reach the timer: 5...4...3...2...1...

CUT TO:

ECU - THE DEVICE

On 0:00 the liquid transmutes into a big hunk of crystal,

resembling the Tsingtao diamond, shattering the glass.

CUT TO:

A FLASH of blinding white light...and then: Well, nothing

special.

Every bit of green vegetation on the grounds has turned

brown, and the castle itself looks shabbier, like it could

use a new coat of paint or a pressure wash. Slightly

desaturated. Nothing else seems to have changed.

April leads the horse over and gives Lenny a disdainful

glance before handing Go the reins.

APRIL

We should get going.

They ride out through the back, and soon after Fusao and his

men are on the grounds, surround the battered Lenny.

FUSAO

So, ikokujin, what should we do

with you who would bring pestilence

to our land?

FADE TO:

EXT. UNDERWORLD CAVERNS - MOMENTS LATER

April and Go are back in the Audi, cruising through the

caverns. LU-SID is jury rigged into the cigarette lighter

and flashes as it gives navigation updates.

LU-SID

Route to nearest doorway leading to

1996, calculated. Approximately 15

miles.

GO

You don't have walk me all the way

there, y'know. I'm a big boy.

APRIL

A lady always sees her gentlemen

friends home safely. 'Sides, maybe

I'll get to meet the girl worth

rewriting history for.

She gives him an easy smile and he tries to return it. He

can't manage past a weary grin.

GO

Maybe. Thanks for everything,

April.

She tries to hang onto the smile but it fades with her

request.

APRIL

You wanna thank me, maybe re-think

your answer to my question earlier?

She squeezes his shoulder.

GO

I'll let you know once we get

through this.

APRIL

Get through what?

And she looks up to get the answer.

CUT TO:

EXT. TEMPORAL DOORWAY TO 1996 - CONTINUOUS

Normally, the long straightaway that leads to the 1996 gate

is completely clear of any traffic. Just a gate in

Stonehenge-like rock formation at the end of a lonely road.

Today is not a normal day. Barricades with heavily armed

tactical personnel. Snipers in the caverns above. There's

even a gunship sweeping the area, and the gate's being

blocked by two bulldozers on either side. Almost every

vehicle is emblazoned with the seal from Kepler's ledger.

Speakers from the gunship blare out a canned warning, asking

any intruders to please stop and surrender. Go's only

response is to rev the engine.

GO

Still sure you wanna be a proper

lady?

Before April can vocalize the apprehension that's suddenly

washed over her face, Go's phone rings.

GO

Yeah?

LAUREN (O.S.)

Go? Honey, where are you?

The wind leaves him. He wants to say so many things, but the

shock leaves him stammering.

LAUREN (O.S.)

Can you hear me, babe? I'm getting

all kinds of crazy interference.

GO

I...I'm here. Is everything okay?

LAUREN (O.S.)

Yeah, everything's fine, just

wondering when you're getting home.

I just picked up Michael, he wants

to say hi.

CUT TO:

INT. HIDEKI RESIDENCE - DAY

Lauren passes the phone to a cherubic three year old that is

the spitting image of the pair. He steadies the phone with

both hands.

MICHAEL

Daddy?

CUT TO:

EXT. TEMPORAL DOORWAY TO 1996 - CONTINUOUS

Go's on the verge of tears.

GO

Yes son?

MICHAEL (O.S.)

When are you coming home?

GO

I...I'll be there soon, okay buddy?

MICHAEL (O.S.)

Okay. Love you, daddy.

GO

I love you too, son.

April watches him, every measure of doubt and apprehension

melting away.

LAUREN (O.S.)

Hey again, so you'll be home soon?

GO

Mm-hm. I love you so much, Lauren.

LAUREN (O.S.)

I love you too, Go. Everything

okay?

GO

Yeah...everything's wonderful.

LAUREN (O.S.)

M'kay, well hurry home then

alright?

GO

I will.

He hangs up and looks to April for some sort of support. She

just squeezes his hand and puts it on the gear shift.

APRIL

Don't keep the girl waiting.

A deep breath, Go's eyes close and Audi's in full gear. The

Ascended forces don't hesitate, sending every bit of

ordinance their way.

Go pulls a series of turns and drifts through the first set

of barricades to wind through in a backwards S pattern.

As they're pulling away from the last squad of grunts,

they're so close that April grabs an M4A1 from one, smashing

him in the jaw before they're away.

Brass casings and bullets litter the ground as the gunship

and snipers try to get a bead. April leans out the window,

sending a few bursts at the gunship.

GO

Hang on!

The Audi pops up onto two wheels to ride the line between the

next set of barricades. April does a drive-by on the squad

at their right, tucking back in once the Audi's back on four

wheels and speeding towards the bulldozers.

April checks the rear-view for the gunship and it's still

strafing like crazy.

APRIL

Done around. Done through. Over?

GO

Gonna try.

The machine guns from the massive helicopter trail in their

wake, getting closer and closer to the car.

Go shifts gears, the Audi moves even faster but the guns keep

creeping closer.

He cuts the steering wheel left and as the car begins to

slide he...

CUT TO:

ECU - E-BRAKE LEVER

Wrenches the brake back.

CUT TO:

The Audi is airborne and flipping, right side over left.

April braces herself and once the passenger side is facing

the gunship: THWOOMP!

The grenade sails from the M4A1 through the cabin window of

the gunship and: BOOM!

The Audi lands on the other side of the bulldozers, spinning

out to a stop in front of the gate. The gutted gunship

falters and rotates before crashing into the bulldozers in a

fiery conflagration.

April hops out of the passenger window and checks her ammo.

GO

What're you doing?

APRIL

Cleaning up the rest, now get outta

here.

GO

But-

APRIL

Don't hear you pulling off.

She pops the clip back in and racks it, keeping her eyes

ahead.

GO

You're going a little farther than

returning a favor.

APRIL

Yeah, well. If you can't get over

it, I charge a pretty high premium

to babysit.

She doesn't turn around. Otherwise he'd see the full, bright

smile on her face.

GO

I'll keep it in mind.

And he rolls through the gate.

CUT TO:

EXT. LOS ANGELES - MORNING

The battle scarred Audi drives through the streets of early

morning L.A., from downtown on into Hollywood.

CORKER

(V.O.)

Sounds like a remarkable woman.

GO

(V.O.)

Yeah.

CORKER

(V.O.)

So from there?

GO

(V.O.)

I just went to where LU-SID told me

my house was.

From Hollywood in to Beverly Hills.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIDEKI RESIDENCE - MORNING

Once Go pulls up the long driveway of the opulent three story

mansion, there's no time to marvel at his newfound fortune.

He rushes inside, calling out for his wife and child.

CUT TO:

INT. HIDEKI RESIDENCE - MORNING

He goes from room to room, each one telling him something

about his new life. Lauren finally got him to watch The Thin

Man. Michael likes Kix for breakfast. The twin showerheads

mean he got fed up enough to do something about her hogging

all the hot water.

The path of discovery leads all the way to Lauren and Go's

bedroom. All sleek and modern...except for the bed. An

antique, brass behemoth that certainly clashes with all the

clean lines, but it's what she always wanted.

He sits down, smoothing his hand across the bedspread before

noticing a scrapbook on the nightstand. The first page he

opens it to is a collection of photos. First, pictures of

the old crew that he can remember taking, but then new ones.

Pictures of film sets, with him in stunt gear. Lauren on

those same sets, tinkering with electronics. Movie premiers

with him in attendance, schmoozing with stars. A few with

him on red carpets, Lauren on his arm.

He starts to spread things out onto the bed: Pictures of

their wedding on The Beach, Michael's baby footprints, photos

of them all on vacation.

Then once Go's at the end of the book he finds a photo of his

and Lauren's hands intertwined. He turns it over and finds a

bunch of newspaper clippings taped to the backside. Slowly,

he lays them out:

WOMAN AND YOUNG SON CRITICALLY INJURED IN CAR ACCIDENT

LAUREN HIDEKI, SFX GURU AND YOUNG SON DEAD

DEATHS OF MOTHER AND CHILD RULED VEHICULAR HOMICIDE

LEONARD CHALMBERS CHARGED IN DRIVING DEATHS

There's a moment of quiet where Go looks at the clippings and

can't process what's in front of him. Then, as quiet as a

whisper.

GO

No.

He sinks to his knees, burying his face in all the rootless

memories, repeating the word, louder each time. Until it

becomes an incoherent wail.

FADE TO:

EXT. THE BEACH(UNDERWORLD) - DAY

Go's made his way to the shore, looking out at the waves as

though he's trying to spot something.

GO

I keep trying to remember

myself...those places in the

photos...and it's all blank. I can

imagine it, but it's not real.

CORKER

I'm really sorry, Go.

The Detective puts a hand on Go's shoulder.

GO

I couldn't stay in the house...or

even out in the world, so I came

back here.

CORKER

Still planning on going to see her?

GO

Honestly? The only reason you

found me here is because of her.

CORKER

She wouldn't forgive you for it,

would she?

With tears in his eyes, Go nods and Corker puts an arm around

him.

CORKER

You've been through a lot. Believe

me, I can understand. It's why I

wanted to find you. I've got an

offer for you, and you don't have

to answer me right away, obviously-

GO

I don't think I'm cut out for the

force, Corker.

CORKER

You've been down here long enough,

Go, you haveta know I'm not a

regular cop. I've known about this

whole Secret War for quite a while,

and you're not the first person

I've run across that gotten

stranded without a real home. I

run a little operation that employs

folks like you.

GO

What...what for?

CORKER

Mainly to keep things like this

from happenin'. Just think about

it, and gimmie a call when you make

up your mind.

CUT TO:

CU - THE CARD

Corker hands him the card, but rather than his LAPD

information, it's just his name and an Ascended seal embossed

behind it.

Go looks up at him, aghast.

GO

You're...

CORKER

I know what you're thinking, and no

I didn't have anything to do with

what happened to your friends. I'd

been watching your crew since the

beginning, and when those Dragons

got a hold of you, I wanted to step

in. The Ascended's like any other

bureaucracy, Go, for every decision

that gets made there's at least 10

other ideas behind it that were

probably better.

GO

But they said...the Ascended

were...

CORKER

Big brother, the new world order,

heard 'em all. The truth about the

Ascended is that we're trying to

keep the world running as it is.

You've seen the future that we're

trying to prevent for yourself.

Go's face contorts in confusion for a moment before he turns

his gaze back to the ocean. Corker sighs, making his way

back toward the caverns.

MONTAGE - GO'S THOUGHTS

While Corker talks, we see a rapid montage of Go's memories

of Lauren.

CORKER

I'm not gonna wear you down about

this. You take your time and think

on it, 'cause the others aren't

going to move on you with me still

in your corner.

It ends with those clippings from the scrapbook. Corker

turns back to Go one last time.

CORKER

Real sorry about wh-

He's cut short by a .50 caliber to the head, lifting his body

off the ground. Go lowers the smoking gun, tears rolling

down his face.

Time lapses between his movements, and after watching the

waves one last time, he drives away.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE JUNKYARD - MORNING

The Professor and Kar Fai are talking with Go again, but this

time the conversation is about what he'll do for them.

KAR FAI

Eventually, you will meet with Raye

Kuramoto and Eddie Lee. They are

two allies we encountered in Hong

Kong.

THE PROFESSOR

But it's not necessary to dive

right back in to work, of course.

You've had quite the ordeal, and

time to heal both physically and-

There's a weary, wry grin on his face as he gently

interjects.

GO

All respect due Prof, I'd like to

get to work on whatever you have

for me, as soon as possible.

The Professor's brow furrows, but she corrects herself,

trying to seem relatively neutral.

THE PROFESSOR

We just...well, for the quality of

your ability to work, we would hope

for your heart and head to both be

in the right place.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE BEACH - MORNING

Go and Lauren are wrapped in each other's arms, watching the

tide roll back and forth.

GO

Trust me, Professor. They are.

#sonno joi #akira kurosawa #vanishing point #feng shui rpg #13 assassins #time travel #go's story

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